12/21 It's gotta be lunchtime somewhere...

SOTD 12/18: Why is it that non-native English speakers write such good pop songs?

Lay Low is an Icelandic singer/songwriter who, despite her national affiliation, owes no debt to Bjork at all. By and By could have been released on any of a dozen US indie labels that specialize in American pop tunes played by beautiful women with interesting voices. But it wasn't. Lay Low's debut album, Farewell Good Night's Sleep (released in 2008 in Iceland) comes out in March, 2010 here. Check it out...

By and By by Lay Low

Thanks to Knox Road for the find...

SOTD 12/17: Sean Walsh and the National Reserve

two words: brilliant. oh. wait a second, one more word: getit. i know it's not a real word at all, but this Sean Walsh fellow has some chops, and his backing band, The National Reserve are rocking the organ, the hard plucked guitar strings, and a swinging backbeat that has this song on high rotation here at the Casa de Songoftheday.

You Know by Sean Walsh and The National Reserve

SOTD 12/16: Do I have seasonal affective disorder already? or do I just miss The Postal Service? Either way, The Farewell Circuit is the answer...

This lovely electronica based kinda piece with a haunting cello is the perfect thing to listen to when it starts turning dark at 4pm and the wind shifts into full-on glacier breeze from the North. Birdless Sky is the debut album from Minneapolis' The Farewell Circuit - l love this song and will be checking it out...cause it's time to embrace the dark, mysterious and lovely...

The Inexorable March by The Farewell Circuit

SOTD 12/15: My new favorite band name is...The Go Find

Just cruising the internets looking for music and came across this song at Quick Before It Melts...The Go Find's "Everyone Knows It's Gonna Happen Only Not Tonight" is a small slice of acoustic electronica (I know, kind of an oxymoron) and the title track to the new The Go Find's album to be released in February, 2010.

I'm a big fan.

Everyone Knows It's Gonna Happen Only Not Tonight by The Go Find

SOTD 12/14: Spoon...doing the Spoon thing they do..

Written in Reverse is the new single from the upcoming Spoon album, Transference, to be released on Merge on January 13th, 2010. It's a good song, doing all those Spoon things you already know and love, so check it out:

Written in Reverse by Spoon

SOTD 12/10a: Taxi Taxi do a mean Smiths...

Don't know a thing about 'em except when I hear this song, I'm immediately living in 1986.

Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want (Smiths cover) by Taxi Taxi

SOTD 12/10: Jawbox. Reunite. 'nuff said.

On Jimmy Fallon. (Thanks, Stereogum)

oh, how I've missed thee Jawbox..



sorry, there's some commercials on these:

SOTD 12/9: and I thought there was just one...but I was wrong, it's Twin Atlantic

Lotsa thanks to Come Pick Me Up for for today's brilliant find, Twin Atlantic. If you've been around here for a while you know I love me some Scottish bands -and Twin Atlantic is another one. The Glaswegian accent, the sense of acoustic urgency - it just comes together to me think to myself, "damn, I need to buy this album.." Which, by the way, is called Vivarium.



Where is Light? Where is Laughter (Acoustic Version)? by Twin Atlantic

and a version that is a) not so acoustic, and b) shows them to be handsome boys with Fall Out Boy-like moves. which I'll forgive because I love the song...

SOTD 12/7: Shout Out Louds...

I'm looking forward to the new Shout Out Louds album, due later in 2010 - here's a preview of what's coming up:

Walls by Shout Out Louds

SOTD 12/3: Datarock. That's right - cause it's a Friday, and it's time to bust a move..

or whatever the kids nowadays call it when they tip a few, go out, and throw it down on the dancefloor old school style. wanna see me pop and lock? do the running man?

i didn't think so. But trust me, if i COULD, i would...and I'd do it to this song:

Fa Fa Fa by Datarock

I'm just really digging it. and I know, it's not like music i usually like at all...but...give it a listen, and see if your booty don't start to shake...

SOTD 12/2: Telekinesis! Daytrotter Session

I posted the song "Coast of Carolina" here a while back (not sure the link is still active, but trust me, that song was AWESOME) and later on I put that new album by Telekinesis on ultra heavy rotation. Basically a one man band, Michael Benjamin Lerner stopped in the Daytrotter studio with his traveling musical troupe and laid down some magic.

Check out:
All of A Sudden

One Step Forward

Imaginary Friend

Calling All Doctors

See the whole Daytrotter shebang here: Telekinesis

and check it out, Telekinesis on NPR Tiny Desk Concerts!

SOTD 12/1: Even Heroes Have to Die - Ted Leo and the Pharmacists

I'm just gonna say it: I'm very very excited about a new Ted Leo record. Due out in March, it's called The Brutalist Bricks..it'll come out on Matador...

check this out:

Even Heroes Have To Die by Ted Leo and the Pharmacists.

SOTD 11/23: I love this video. A LOT.

SOTD 11/18: Swedish pop song with Sambassadeur

I got nothing for you on this one - outside of what the always awesome Captain's Dead says: they might be Swedish. They have a new album called European. and this song is a catchy chunk of pop music. It's not for everyone, but I just spent 4.5 hours in a car, so it's perfect for soothing my road rage.

Days by Sambassadeur

SOTD 11/13: The Features....what you turn to when the Bears let you down

Another epic fail by the Monsters of the Midway pushes me to find solace in the beauty of music, so while surfing around I landed at perennially awesome site I Am Fuel, You Are Friends and came across The Features. The horns and wide open whaling on cymbals gives me a Neutral Milk Hotel vibe, but they stand on their own as a kickass band. This song, Thursday, helped break me out of my Bears induced funk. Not saying it completely got rid of the 5 interception Cutler implosion, but it's helped...

Thursday by The Features

The Features "Thursday" from Lake Fever Sessions on Vimeo.

SOTD 11/5: Slow Down, Molasses...that's what I feel like right now...

Many thanks to Quick Before It Melts for today's find, which, appropriately enough, seems to mirror the pace of posting around here lately...slowed down...but that's cause work has changed a bit and things are just stupid busy right now - but worth the work. Slow Down, Molasses is another in a long line of stellar Canuck bands that continue to surprise me.

This song is long, nearly 7 minutes, and you know what? I don't think I could pick out a piece of it that doesn't belong here. Think old school Vulgar Boatmen for you oldsters like me, maybe the Feelies, with a dash of Broken Social Scene or some Elephant Six bands like Beulah layered over the top. You like that kinda thing? You're gonna love this...

I'm An Old Believer by Slow Down, Molasses

SOTD 10/30: Scary Technicolor Wolves on All Hallow's Eve...

It's a cold, rainy, windy day here in Chicago, the kind where the alarm goes off and you can hear the rain beating against the window and you think, "screw this, I'm staying home.." But, you don't. You get get up and you need a song that sounds like an outtake from an early Strokes' session to get you motivated to get in the shower and get the day started and done. Know what I mean?

Technicolor Wolves are from California. It's warm there and it makes me jealous.

Reaction by Technicolor Wolves

SOTD 10/29: Karen O and The Kids, just in time for Halloween

I never really read Where the Wild Things Are until I had kids, and by then? I was already an old jaded bastard who thought he had the world figured out.

But I can't wait to see this movie. It can suck to high heaven for all I care, have you SEEN the pictures for it? It LOOKS gorgeous. Spike Jonze is a visionary, and Dave Eggers is a writer who, even if I don't outright love him, I respect a lot and enjoy much of his work. But the visuals I've seen are stunning, so...I'm going. And that's before I put on the soundtrack, which is, by all accounts, damn near perfect. So here's a taste of it:

All Is Love by Karen O and The Kids

SOTD 10/28: Back from the Edge, literally...and loving The Orange Peels

So it's been awhile since the last post, but the west coast U2 groupie trek is now done with much fun had by all and now, as a detox, I've been listening to music that's anything but U2. Found this band on Largehearted Boy, and gotta admit, I didn't know a thing about them, but I really dug this song:

We're Gonna Make It by The Orange Peels. It's from their album 2020, coming out in early November. So it seems, with a quick internet search, that The Orange Peels have been around a bit and this is their first record in four years. Working on the Wrens plan seems to be successful nowadays, so why not, huh?

SOTD 10/16: Ok, even though I like the rainy weather..it IS Friday, and it's time for a good acoustic punkish raveup- Ezra Furman and the Harpoons

Think a raucous Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, and mix it with a bit of the Violent Femmes, and this song, which I love with all my bitter jaded heart, starts with the classic "1, 2, 3, 4...."

what's not to love?

I Wanna Be Ignored by Ezra Furman and the Harpoons

and a bonus:

We Should Fight by Ezra Furman and the Harpoons

and thanks again to the consistently awesome "I am fuel, you are friends" for this one. Good lordy that's an awesome site.

SOTD 10/14: Wake up the kids, Frightened Rabbit releases new songs!!

I love Frightened Rabbit. Those Scottish brogues. The emotional intensity. The awkward feelings and bizarre juxtapositions of imagery. They're everything good about music right now.

and if you don't like it, too stinkin' bad.

The new single is called "Swim Until You Can't See Land" and it's an ep to hold us over till the new album comes out next Spring.

Swim, Until You Can't See Land

You have to click play because of the flash player...and you get another song, too...a perfect example of what sad sack bastards they can be. and you know what? I love it, too.

SOTD 10/12: maybe it's the fall, maybe i'm just morose...

but i've always had a soft spot in my heart for bands like ride, and my bloody valentine, and all those other shoegazer, 4AD types of bands. Clan of Xymox, anyone? The Depreciation Guild fits straight in that lineage, with repetitive guitars, dreamy vocals, and a decidely late 80's early 90's kinda vibe. A quick peruse of the internets shows that a couple of the guys are also in Pains of Being Pure at Heart, which may also explain my love...

Butterfly Kisses by The Depreciation Guild

Sky Ghosts by The Depreciation Guild

Dark Looming by The Depreciation Guild

The Depreciation Guild - "Dream About Me" from Jack Ferry on Vimeo.

SOTD 10/7: I always get confused....

between Matt and Kim and She and Him.  Then I remember..oh, yeah, Matt and Kim is the one where the woman DIDN'T sing in Elf.  This song comes via suggestion from the HP Giants Frosh A middle hitter, who said, "Dad, I LOVE this song.."  or some nonsense like that.  So here you go, kid.

Daylight by Matt and Kim

Hey, Kids...Here's music Dad used to think was cool...

and you know what? it IS.

Sunny Day Real Estate live on Jimmy Fallon



click the last spacer in the play bar unless you want to watch the entire show (if the spacers don't appear after the commercial, it starts at the 38:30 mark)

SOTD 10/5: Bad news, everybody, The Broken West is really broken...

and they're never getting put back together again. I had the good fortune of seeing them a while back in the spring when I was in Boston. It was a weeknight show at the Middle East basement and they weren't flashy, weren't super obviously brilliant, but the sum total of the night was greater than its parts. They put on a terrific show without being huge showmen. They rocked without bringing the RAWK. They're going to be missed.


Gwen, Now and Then by The Broken West
Down in the Valley (Daytrotter Session) by The Broken West
You Can Build an Island by The Broken West
So It Goes by The Broken West

SOTD 10/1: If you didn't know better, you'd swear it was 1964

when you listen to Mayer Hawthorne's retro Stax, Motown, soul driven songs. and when Michael Jackson died, let's face it, who didn't listen to ABC and 1,2,3 and think "damn. that's good."

you'll think the same thing after this, too:

Your Easy Lovin' Ain't Pleasin' Nothin' by Mayer Hawthorne

many thanks to I Am Fuel, You Are Friends for the find, it's an excellent blog, go visit it

SOTD 9/29: I try not to repeat too often, but the Avett Brothers have a new release

and by all accounts it's excellent. I love the Avett Brothers. This song isn't the most upbeat of their repertoire, but TODAY their new album, I and Love and You is released. Listen to this while you open a new browser window and buy it. Go on, I'll wait...


I and Love and You by the Avett Brothers

SOTD 9/28: Early States...can't quite put my finger on it

but there's something vaguely familiar about Early States - the indie music that has a more epic, almost Alarm-like epic sweep? the short choruses, repetitively drawn out? The ringing and chiming guitars vaguely reminiscent of four young lads from Dublin, maybe? I'm not sure what it is exactly, but there's just enough little pieces of things I recognize that, when put all together, I really dig it.

Smoke In My Eyes by Early States

SOTD 9/25: Is anything new by The Postal Service ever coming out? Cause I'll wait and dig this Jeff Caudill till it does...

Cause I liked them a lot. But today, I came across this cover of The District Sleeps done by Jeff Caudill. He was in Gameface way back when, and I have a random couple of Caudill solo songs that pop up on shuffle now and then, and there's something about his earnest singing that I really appreciate. Plus, I love the Postal Service version of this song, though it always felt like it should be sung in heartfelt manner by a guy with an acoustic guitar...

District Sleeps Tonight (Postal Service cover) by Jeff Caudill

Thanks to Can You See The Sunset for the find. It's an excellent site, check it out...

sorry ma, forgot to let out the cat – a replacements comp

sorry ma, forgot to let out the cat – a replacements comp

SOTD 9/23: Time keeps movin' on, and so does Yo La Tengo

you've loved yo la tengo for forever. we all have. their new album is flippin' awesome. they're gonna be at the Vic Theater on October 6th. you can see this song played live, then, I betya, and it does all the excellent things that every other yo la tengo song you ever loved does, so until then, check it out..

Periodically Double or Triple by Yo La Tengo

SOTD 9/22: I'm not even gonna pretend I've ever heard of the Parson Red Heads

Thanks to I Am Fuel, You Are Friends for today's find - the band The Parson Red Heads. They remind me a little of those early Blake Babies albums where Juliana Hatfield sang in that slightly off-kilter back up, but not totally, way - remember? now throw in a Farfisa organ, or maybe it's a Hammond B3, but still...

dig the handclaps. I do.

Punctual As Usual by The Parson Red Heads

SOTD 9/21: Julie Peel...return of the singer/songwriters who make Mondays bearable

Thanks to Music for Kids Who Don't Read Good for today's selection - Julie Peel. I'd have pegged her as a female Elliot Smith, someone who mines the sadder end of the pop/acoustic spectrum, but never would I have suspected her of being French - just like I didn't think Phoenix was, either. I love her voice, the quiet nature of her songs, and the easy pace...perfect for a Monday that reminds me why I think I should have been with enough resources to never have to work again...



Living in the Movies by Julie Peel

Alone by Julie Peel

SOTD 9/18: Remember when rock music from Minneapolis meant something? The Evening Rig does...

And I do, too. The mighty Replacements. Husker Du. Hell, even Soul Asylum and Prince. Minneapolis was THE place for music to come from for...oh, a couple years. Maybe a little less. It's rockness seems to have died down, at least on a national scale, but today's pick, The Evening Rig, seems, in my book, poised to re-assert the case for Minneapolis being a rock and roll town. With raw and angry guitars, bash and smash drums, and, a personal fave, songs about drinkin', The Evening Rig is heir apparent to the classic Minneapolis rock tradition. I mean, check out the totally rippin' riff in The Steve McQueens - it's straight off an Aerosmith record. and not in a bad way...Love 'em, cause I do...

The Steve McQueens by The Evening Rig

Goddamn, I Could Use a Drink by The Evening Rig

SOTD 9/17: Thao and The Get Down Stay Down

I find myself, sometimes, drawn to beautiful noise, and Thao Nguyen brings them - reminiscent of Andrew Bird, (is that whistling? a theremin?), and embodying the current vogue in indie rock to have a rather shuffling drumming underlying thoughtful, plaintive lyrics, Thao and the GDSD craft excellent indie pop for the coming Autumn...


Know Better, Learn Faster by Thao and The Get Down Stay Down

SOTD 9/15(a): Speaking of Love - Johnny Foreigner has a new video

Johnny Foreigner - Criminals from LEFT EYE BLIND on Vimeo.

SOTD 9/15: no more Mr. Maudlin Sentimental Argument for bands I irrationally love...Oh. Wait. Except for Mission of Burma...then that's it. Promise

Absolutely awesome noise rock, post punk magic from the guys who INVENTED this kinda music - Mission of Burma. Sounds like the Buzzcocks, and early Clash, and Material Issue all had a baby and named it Lil' Mission of Rockness. Great, great song...

1, 2, 3, Party! by Mission of Burma

I know, I'm a zealot, but...

U2 is a fantastic live band. There's no two way about it. Protest all you want about the crass commercialism, the self-aggrandizement, the whatever....the simple fact remains: U2 is four guys with two guitars, a 4 piece drum kit (granted, with a bunch of cymbals, but it's snare, bass, tom, floor tom - that's it) and the same old Vox amps they've always used, and they raise a fantastic racket.

And that it comes in a wrapper that looks like this:







can be disconcerting to some, but it contains every contradiction of U2 - the sacred and the profane, the money and the soul, the sound and visual. I think what I like about U2, and pardon this sideways trip into weakass philosophizing, is that they ARE the duality of what each person is - our best and worst selves, our hopes and our weaknesses. I know, I know, I swear I've not been getting high, either. It just seemed to me, sitting there looking at this GIGANTIC stage and the Lilliputian size of the band and listening as they turned a 70,000 seat football stadium into an intimate venue, that there has to be an acknowledgement of how hard that is to do and what an artistic triumph it is to do it well. But the contradictions were rife, literally seconds after thanking the charitable donations of Americans for sending 35 million African kids to school, he thanked LiveNation (the concert monopoly) and Blackberry for helping sponsor the tour (and, ostensibly, filling his pockets with enough cash for him to bring the message to the people.)

It was an experience - that's for sure.

SOTD 9/10: It's kinda old, but Secret Machines..

have a direct connection to my boys from Dublin - The Edge has been quoted as calling Benjamin Curtis, former guitarist for Secret Machines and currently in School of Seven Bells, "brilliant" and on the Vertigo album, Edge used a bunch of effects pedals that Curtis built. Or at least I'm pretty sure I read that some where. A few minutes on Google could remedy that, I suppose, but I'm feeling a tad lazy today...

So anyway, without further ado, I think there's a direct line to draw from my boys in U2 to this wonderful song by the now apparently on hiatus Secret Machines...

Lightning Blue Eyes by Secret Machines

SOTD 9/9/09 - It's a big day, and no, not because Beatles Rock Band is being released...

I simply don't share as much Beatles love as I should. I understand their place in the rock pantheon and all, but I haven't voluntarily put on a Beatles song in years. Not as some kiss-off to rock greats or anything, but there's nothing new there, I've heard every Beatles song literally a million times.

So, no. that's not it. I'm in full-on countdown mode for my own peculiar rock obsession: my adoration of U2. But rather than play some New Year's Day bootleg (talk about a song you've heard a million times...and I STILL LOVE IT) I'm gonna spend the rest of the week playing songs by bands that were influenced by U2. Or at least influenced by bands who were influenced by U2, if that makes sense. Which brings us to this band out of Austin, Texas - The Rocketboys. I know, I know, not the best name, but listen and you'll hear the influence of Coldplay (hipsters, quick, recoil in horror!!) and my boys from Dublin.

I know it's not hip, cutting edge, or cool, or whatever to have U2 love. I know they represent a music monolith whose output, by many, is viewed as an artistically uneven enterprise geared strictly for profit. But you know what? I don't care. So dig The Rocketboys, cause they're really good. Simple as that...

We Are A Lighthouse by The Rocketboys

Like Ice In Water by the Rocketboys

SOTD 9/7: A brief stroll down memory lane. Sort of.

I remember growing up, there used to be big rock festivals, not the Lollapaloozas and whatchamahoozas that all you kids get nowadays. It was things like "The Rockford Speedway Jam" or "The Mississippi River Jam" and you've have a band like the Cars on the bill with Judas Priest and REO Speedwagon. Those were the days. and one of the bands that always played at those shows? Heart. Rockin' chicks. Awesome guitar parts. Good tuneful music. I'd never go out of my way to go to a Heart show, just as I never owned a Heart album, but they DID have some really spectacular songs. I don't want to be one of those "music was so much better when I was a kid" old guys, but I think the current tide in music has drifted much further away from good songs and mutated into hooks and beats. Which is fine, music changes, but there's something right and good about honoring great songs today. Which is why I love this video so much - The Decemberists, who still honor great songwriting are covering "Crazy On You" by Heart...perfect.

SOTD 9/4: I used to miss power pop. But now I don't cause The Balconies rule

I dare you to try to ignore the jangly not quite distorted guitars, the absolutely perfect background "ba-ba-ba-ba-ah-a" background vocals - you won't be able to, I guarantee it.

According to Quick Before It Melts, The Balconies are from Ottawa - further cementing my belief, as it if NEEDED it, that Canada turns out way more music I love than nearly anywhere else.

So listen up and enjoy...

Smells Like Secrets by The Balconies

SOTD 9/2: The Beatings...if superchunk and husker du had a baby..

they'd name it The Beatings.

Apparently around for a while, I just today heard of The Beatings and their 2006 release Hold On To Hand Grenades. Their new album Late Season Kids is due out shortly. I hear traces of all my fave rawk heroes here...love it like I do.

Feel Good Endings by The Beatings

Bury You by The Beatings

SOTD 8/31: The Low Water are the exception to the rule

and the rule is: I'm mostly not a fan of bands from Brooklyn. There's no one reason, exactly, why I don't feel the Brooklyn love - I just sometimes don't. But The Low Water rule in so many ways that not really digging them is just NOT an option. They remind me a lot of Wilco, in the way that Wilco experiments heavily with their sound, yet you can always recognize that it's them. I've heard a handful of TLW now, and while each song is uniquely and utterly distinct, they've got a sound that clearly marks them.

Enjoy.

House in the City by The Low Water

SOTD: 8/28 - Special 100th post edition - Cage the Elephant

Ok, so...it's not really a special post, I'll admit it. Though I have to confess, I never thought it'd last this long, I mean, 100 posts? There's not many things I like enough to do a hundred times, know what I mean? But I like finding music, even if I'm sometimes wrong about how good it may be. But I feel pretty good about this post - I've not been shy around here about my love of the Swedes and their brilliant re-interpretation of American garage rock. And thank god for the internet, cause I'd have bet a bunch of money that Cage the Elephant was a bunch of hipster Eurotrash wearing matching sharp suits. But...wow. Was I wrong. Did you see that pic of the scruffy long haired rocker dudes? (who happen to, it turns out, rock like those Swedes I love...)

Anyway. Love them, I do. (and check the solo at the end of this song - it shreds).

Tiny Little Robots by Cage the Elephant

SOTD: 8/27 A bit of beauty in an ugly world...Camera Obscura

Camera Obscura has been around a while, you might remember the brilliant LP 'Underachievers Please Try Harder.." and their indie pop, driven by the angelic vocals of Tracyanne Campbell, has long been a favorite of mine. So imagine how much happier I became today when I was flipping through blogs and came across The Music Slut, who posted video footage from grandcrew.com, which miraculously uses a video player not blocked by the filters in my building. Now you get to enjoy a couple of acoustic nuggets of absolute joy from Camera Oscura - French Navy, Honey in the Sun, and James. Check it out, you'll not be disappointed - and it's the perfect antidote to a rainy craptastic day here in Chicago...

SOTD 8/26: Clap Your Hands Say....Fanfarlo

I love bands with distinctive vocalists - and Fanfarlo has that. I also dig bands with horns and trombones and stuff (think Neutral Milk Hotel) and they pull that out now and again, too. There's even a tinge of David Byrne here...which all adds up to a really wonderful find today...

Finish Line by Fanfarlo


The Walls Are Coming Down by Fanfarlo

SOTD 8/23: Julian Plenti is....Skyscraper

I have NO idea what that means. Really. I'm sure some of you hipsters do, but I don't, and I suppose a guy my age probably shouldn't. Thing is? Julian Plenti is...Skyscraper is frickin' brilliant, whatever the name. In the evolution of angular pop/indie rock from Wire to Interpol to the Editors - this fits right in. Lean rhythms, almost pop-ish vocals, some excellent guitar work...it all comes together here.

The Fun That We Have by Julian Plenti is...Skyscraper

Games for Day by Julian Plenti is...Skyscraper

SOTD 8/19: Turning it down. Low. Really low. With the M. Ward-like Iron and Wine. D'oh

doing a slo-mo version of the New Order classic, Love Vigilantes.


d'oh. it ain't M. Ward. Eagle eye folks have said "it sounds exactly like Iron and Wine" and, uh....they're right. Damn. I hate lookin' like a chump.


thanks to Music For Kids Who Can't Read Good for the find.

SOTD 8/18(a): Nine Black Alps..

Sitting at work, listening to my Afghan Whigs station on Pandora, when this badass slice of rock came pouring through...from the album, Everything Is..

Unsatisfied by Nine Black Alps

SOTD 8/18: it's not every day you get new Radiohead

but...enjoy!

new EP rumored to be coming out at some point....


These Are My Twisted Words by Radiohead

SOTD 8/14: Those Darlins, and my ongoing fascination with non-radio friendly country music

It's really fashionable to say that you hate country music. I've said it, I bet you ten bucks you've said it. We've all said it. But if we're being really honest, what we mean is "I hate that pre-manufactured Brooks and Dunn radio friendly" country music. Maybe I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure that's what I meant, cause if I didn't, that means I can't love Those Darlins as much as I do, and I do love them. I love the twangy country backbeat, the rockabilly guitar, the three part harmonies...I love it all. Who can not love a song about "red light love"? No one, that's who. And they write songs about drinking beer and eating chicken. Perfect.

Red Light Love by Those Darlins

Whole Damn Thing by Those Darlins


thanks to Music For Kids Who Can't Read Good for the find

SOTD 8/13(a): As Tall As Lions....

Lucky find this morning, doing my daily skim through a billion music blogs and came across As Tall As Lions, courtesy of Knox Road, and loved it. Think Interpol, Bloc Party, and the now strangely hip again Hall and Oates. Seriously. Just give it a chance, I think you'll be pleased....

Circles by As Tall As Lions

SOTD 8/13: Well, yeah, it's kinda cliche, but when you're my age...

You had something to say when you found out John Hughes died. I've not thought about John Hughes in, what, ten years? Fifteen? But nearly everyone I know who's around my age has had something to say about how important those films were to them when they were growing up. Likely, that says a lot about the color, social class, and educational experiences of the people I know/knew, and you'd be right making that assumption. But in the end, even though I'd argue the movies didn't hold up all that well, they still meant something to a lot of people.

Enough of the rambling of the middle aged. I knew this track had been released a long time ago from The National's Daytrotter session, but it was a capped 5000 downloads thing and I got there late. But courtesy of Quick Before It Melts, here's Matt Berninger and the boys in The National, with one of the iconic Hughes numbers...

Pretty In Pink by The National

How many drunken classic movie quotes can you catch in this brief 16 Candles clip? (and you better watch your language Mr. Dirtymouth...)

SOTD 8/12: It doesn't matter what my brother says, I love LUCERO

I once played some cuts from Lucero's "That Much Further West" for my brother, who pronounced it "beer commercial music." He was wrong then, and he's wrong now. Lucero has a new album coming out in October and I, for one, am terrifically excited. I love Lucero's raw, loose sound. Check 'em out live on their "Dreaming in America" DVD - they're frickin' brilliant.

New album on October 6th. It's a long time to wait.


Hey Darlin' Do You Gamble by Lucero

Helpful Playlist Hints For You Kids...

Lifehacker has some excellent ideas on saving disk space, streaming your playslists, and streamlining your mp3 catalog, check it out here:

Top Ten List for Making Better Playlists

SOTD 8/10: Sometimes? I forget how much I like bands like Locksley

Remember the Hives, and that album of theirs, Vini Vidi Vicious? You heard it, remember? and you thought to yourself, "why do the Swedes totally kick American ass in garage rock?" and then came a veritable flood of bands like them, far too many to mention here, and they, indeed, continued that dominance for a while.

And then, you kinda forgot about garage rock, didn't you? It was a blip. Till now, and the new heroes of American garage rock are Locksley, a band out of NYC. A rarity, I know, since the Big Apple never produces bands, but like most bands from there, they've come from somewhere else - in this case, Madison, Wisconsin. They're gonna take the good garage rock fight straight to the Swedes and anyone else who dare stand in their path to total dominance. Plus, like every other good band going nowadays, they took a quick stop by the Quad Cities to pay their dues in the Daytrotter Studios, where they recorded this, from their first LP, Don't Make Me Wait.

Don't Make Me Wait by Locksley

SOTD 8/7: Climbing up...The Eels

Did you SEE the full moon last night? I came in from dropping kids off and had to stop and just look at it for a while, it was gorgeous, I just gotta say.. gorgeous. Being so near the city, we don't get to see many stars anymore, and just being caught by surprise by a giant moon hanging about ten feet above my house got me thinking of this beautiful song by the Eels...

Climbing Up To The Moon by The Eels


(thanks to indierockcafe for the find)

SOTD 8/5: Ilinois homeboys - Backyard Tire Fire

I love Neil Young's song, Cinnamon Girl, with the plaintive vocals, huge guitars, and excellent refrain.."I wanna live with a cinnamon girl..."

I'm sure it meant something dirty or drug-related, but when I was a kid, I didn't know that, and then, today, I was surfing around and saw that Backyard Tire Fire had cranked out a monster live version of the Neil Young classic. BYTF is from Bloomington, Illinois and their last album, "The Places We Lived" is awesome. Enjoy.

Cinnamon Girl by Backyard Tire Fire

SOTD 8/4: The cool kids all know the Weakerthans...

but that don't mean I didn't have "plea from a cat named virtue" pop up on the shuffle tonight while I was working and think to myself - damn, that song is fffiiiinnnneeeee.

cause it is. weakerthans don't put out much anymore, and they tour only sporadically, but...you should love them.

here's a couple for you to chew on..

plea from a cat named virtue by the weakerthans

aside by the weakerthans